Tablet slicing machine



Aug. 3, 1954 H. J. SMITH 2,685,339 TABLET SLICING MACHINE Filed reb.-20, 1952 7 sheets-sheet 1 1 a 166 e5 g] u INVENTOR Y HAROLD J. SMITH avmATTORNEYS Aug- 3, 1954 H. J. SMITH 2,685,339

TABLET SLICING MACHINE Filed Feb. 20, 1952 '7 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG-2 I llq2-mg "hun INVENToR HAROLD J. SMITH www@ ATTORNEYS Aug. 3, 1954 H. J.SMITH TABLET sLIcING MACHINE 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Feb. 20, 1952INVENTOR HAROLD J. SMITH BY i TTGRNEYS Aug. 3, 1954 H. J. SMITH TABLETSLICING MACHINE 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Feb. 20, 1952 FIG-6 NVENTORHAROLD J. SMITH FIG-7 99 Aug. 3, 1954 H. J. SMITH TABLET SLICING MACHINEFiled Feb. 2o, 1952 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR HAROLD J. SMITHv BWZm/l/mmFIG-12 ATTORNEYS AUS* 3, 1954 H. J. sMlTH 2,685,339

TABLET SLICING MACHINE Filed Feb. 20, 1952 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 FIG-14 64 79215 @o sa 85 imag INVENTOR HAROLD .LSQMITH vwxdima ATTORNEYS Aug 3, 1954H. J. sMrrH TABLET SLICING MACHINE Filed Feb. 20, 1952 '7 Sheets-Sheet 7FIG-I8 |NvENToR HAROLD J. SMITH www@ ATTORNEYS Patented Aug. 3, 1954TABLET SLICING MACHINE Harold J. Smith, St. `l'cseph, Mo., assignor toWestern Tablet & Stationery Corporation, Dayton, Ohio, a. corporation ofDelaware Application February 20, 1952i, Serial No. 272,558

(C1. Mft- 73) Claims.

This invention relates to a machine for use in the production of papertablets and the like.

In manufacturing paper tablets and like collected paper sheets, thesheets are commonly arranged in a stack, Which may or may not includecardboard sheets for forming the backs of the finished tablets, and anadhering material or binding is applied across an entire face of thestack to secure the edges of the sheets together, usually also with theaid of a loose mesh fabric or other backing material. Under theseconditions it will be evident that the adhesive backing extendscontinuously across the ends of all the sheets in the'stack, and henceit is necessary to separate the individual tablets or groups of sheetsone from another before completing the additional and nal manufacturingsteps, including the application of binding strips or the like inaccordance with the particular type of tablet being produced.

It has been customary to separate the stack into the individual tabletsby a manual slicing operation, but this presents certain hazards to theoperator as well as being relatively expensive, and the presentinvention relates to a machine for separating or slicing the tabletsfrom each other. In this connection, it is to be understood that theterm tablets as used herein is not intended to be limited to theordinary tablet as it reaches the average user, since such tablet hasbeen cut and trimmed to size, and the term is intended to apply morebroadly to groups of sheets, with or Without a stili cover or backing,and regardless of the size or length of the sheets, since it iscustomary to produce such tablets in units of substantial length whichare then subsequently cut apart to form tablets of the proper size forcommercial use. More generally, therefore, the invention relates to thehandling of such groups of sheets in order to separate them from eachother Where they have been secured together by adhesive or other backingapplied to the entire stack along one side face thereof.

It is the principal object of the present invention to provide a machinefor receiving groups of sheets such as tablets arranged in a stack andadhered to each other along an edge, and for mechanically slicing thetablets apart to separate them into individual units ready forsubsequent processing and completion of manufacture.

Another object is to provide such a machine in which the stack isreceived on a lift table with the topmost tablet located opposite aWorking station for slicing apart from the remainder of the stack, andin which after each successive 2 tablet has been sliced from the stack,the lift table is automatically raised to locate the next successivetablet at the proper working height for slicing,

An additional object is to provide such a machine Which can be readilyadjusted-for diiferent sizes of tablets, and which will properly andaccurately separate the topmost tablet regardless of the thickness ofeach individual tablet in the stack.

It is also an object of the invention to provide such a machine which isproperly interlocked for the protection of the operator and to avoiddamage to the stack of material by assuring that the slicing operationwill not take place unless the stack is at the proper level and theoperator is in a position of safety.

Still another object of the invention is to provide such a machine inwhich slicing of the tablets is effected by a floating knife arranged ona conveyor for travel through the edge of the stack and is guided intoand through the stack in such manner as to assure that the slicing cutwill occur at the proper level and also that the knife will accommodateto minor irregularities so as to give a clean and accurate cut Withoutdamage to any of the sheets.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing description, the accompanying drawings and the appendedclaims.

In the drawings- Fig. 1 is a perspective View of the front or workingside of a tablet slicing machine constructed in accordance with theinvention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the back of the machine;

Fig. 3 is a plan view looking down on Fig. 4 and taken at approximatelythe level indicated by the line 3 3 of Fig. 14;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary View looking from left to right in Fig. 3 andillustrating the operation of the machine;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view furf ther illustrating theoperation of the machine;

Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective vieW showing one of the knife units ofthe machine, including the parts for mounting the knife;

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary view in front elevation of the linkagemechanism for controlling the level of the Work carried by the elevator;

Figs. 8 and 9 are fragmentary sections on the lines 8-'8 and 9 9'respectively of Fig. 7;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary section on the line Ill-l0 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary top view showing the mechanism for ejecting asliced tablet from the machine;

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary section on the line l2--l2 of Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary section on the line |3-I3 of Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary view in front elevation of the parts shown inFigs. 11 and l2;

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary section approximately on the line |5-I5 of Fig.11;

Fig. 16 is an enlarged detail View showing the cam slot on the clutchlever for the primary ejector Wheel, the view being generally in sectionon the line lil-i6 of Fig. 15;

Fig. 17 is a somewhat diagrammatic view illustrating the operation ofthe ejecting mechanism; and

Fig. 18 is a Wiring diagram.

Referring to the drawings, which illustrate a preferred embodiment ofthe invention, Figs. 3 5 illustrate in somewhat diagrammatic detail theslicing operation which the machine of the invention is particularlydesigned to perform. A

stack of tablets is shown as consisting of multiple f layers of paper'2li interleaved with the cardboard layers 2l which form the supportingbacks of the nished tablets, and these multiple stacked layers are heldtogether by an adhesive binding 22 which must be sliced apart adjacentone surface f curately between each successive tablet in the stack withmaximum assurance of the personal safety of the operator and also withmaximum assurance against slicing the stack at an improper locationother than directly adjacent the cardboard layer. In addition, thismachine is designed to operate in this desired manner on tablets of manydifferent sizes, it being apparent, for example, that each of theindividual tablet layers as shown in Figs. 3-5 is of such length that itcould be subsequently further cut into multiple single tablets.

Referring first to Figs. 1 4., the main frame of the machine includes abase 25 and a pair of channels 2E and El which are connected by a topbeam 2i? and other suitable crossbraces and which support an upper frontpanel 3i) carrying the several control switches. The elevator or hoist33 which carries the stack of tablets to be cut includes a frame 34supporting a plurality of rollers '35 to form a lift table for receivingthe stack. The frame 34 is in turn carried by a pair of arms extendingforward from a carriage 3? supported for vertical movement by aplurality of rollers 33 received within tracks formed by the channels 26and 2.

The vertical movement of the elevator 33 is effected by means ofsprocket chains le which are secured to the carriage 3T as shown in Fig.and run over sprockets 4l on a shaft 42 at the upper end of the frameand guide sprockets at the lower end of the frame. The shaft carries asprocket All which is driven by a motor mounted on the top of the frameand shown as of the gear head type to provide a desired low operatingspeed. Upper and lower limit switches A5 and 41 are also mounted at theback of the machine for engagement by the elevator carriage to limit itsmovement in each direction, and suitable controls are provided asdescribed hereinafter for intermittently actuating the elevator motor 45to raise the elevator 33 in successive stages to position the top of thestack at the proper level for operation thereon by the cutting mechanismof the machine. Guiding for the stack during travel and cutting isprovided by the lower front panel 5e on the frame cooperating with apair of corner panels 5I and 52 also secured to the main frame.

The machine is provided with a pair of traveling knife units eachincluding a knife of generally triangular shape to position its cuttingedge 5S at approximately 45 to the adhesive backing 22 during theslicing operation. Each knife 55 is carried by a block 68 secured inequispaced relation to a sprocket chain El ruiming around a pair ofsprockets t2 and 53 at opposite sides of the machine. The sprocket 82 ison a vertical shaft @Il driven by a motor mounted at the back of themachine on the top beam 28, the drive connection being shown ascomprising a belt and pulleys indicated generally at E5 on the upper endof shaft 64, and the lower end of shaft E6 being iournaled in a shelfportion t1 of the main frame. The sprocket 63 is an idler on a shaft 68mounted on an extension 59 of the frame portion and normally enclosed bythe housing 10.

The driving connection between sprocket 62 and shaft B4 is formed by aclutch member H having a friction facing "i2 adapted to engage the uppersurface of sprocket 52, the clutch member 'Il being keyed for axialmovement on shaft te. Movement of clutch 1| into and out of engagementwith sprocket 52 is effected by means of a yoke-shaped lever I3connected with the clutch by bolts 14 and pivoted on a shaft 'i5 carriedby blocks 16 and 'Il which are secured on opposite sides of the channel2E. Lever 13 is normally held up in the disengaged position of theclutch by spring 18 (Fig. 12), and it is moved into engaged position byits connection I9 with a solenoid 30 mounted on the underside of theshelf 61.

In the operation of these parts, and referring particularly to Fig. 3,when the sprocket chain moves, it carries the knives 55 successivelythrough Va path defining a working station or plane above vthe lifttable, and the parts are so proportioned that during this travel of eachknife, its blade will slice through the adhesive backing 22 of a stackof tablets loca-ted in guided contact with the front panel 50. Duringthis operating movement, the knife block E@ is guided by a guide bar 8i(Figs. 8 and 9) secured to a bar B2 extending across the main frame ofthe machine and also serving as a guard for the sprocket chain 6I.Additional protection for the knife and its associated parts is providedby a plate also mounted on the bar 82 as shown in Figs. 8 and 9 andextending above the path of the knife, this plate being convenientlyformed of glass on a transparent plastic material to permit the operatorto Watch the travel of the knife therethrough.

Each knife 55 is provided with a floating connection to its supportingblock @il in order to enable the blade to adapt itself to irregularitiesin the stack and thus effectively to feel its way through the stackduring the slicing operation. Referring to Fig. 6, the blade is carriedby a bar 88 pivoted on a pin 89 carried by an arm 90 which is in turnpivoted on a pin 9| to the block G. The block is formed with a channelportion 92 which receives both the bar 88 and arm 90 and is closed by acover 93 slotted at 94 to permit 5. passage therethrough of theextension portion 05 of the knife secured to the bar 08. The arm 90 canthus pivot with channel 02, and also the bar 83 can similarly pivotwithin this channel, the sides of the channel serving to limit thismovement of the parts 80 and 00 and cooperating therewith to provide thedesired limited floating movement for the knife.

In the operation of this machine, after each knife has completed itsstroke to slice the tablet at the top of the stack, the sliced tablet isejected, and the elevator motor 45 is actuated to raise the stack intoposition for the next slicing stroke. This movement of the elevator iseffected and regulated by a linkage and feeler mechanism which alsocarries and operates certain of the control switches of the machine andincludes means for assuring that the work is in proper position on theelevator before the cutting cycle of the machine is permitted to start.This control mechanism is indicated generally at in Fig. 1 and is shownin detail in Figs. 7 9.

The linkage and control mechanism 50 is carried by a rod |00 extendingacross the front of the machine and is adjustable laterally on this rodin accordance with the size of the stack of tablets to be cut. The mainsupporting .part for the mechanism 00 is a block |0| which is slotted toform a clamp keyed to rod |00 for sliding movement and connected by abar |02 with a second block similarly keyed on rod |00. The block |0I isformed with a handle portion |05 at its upper end to facilitate manualsliding of the block along rod |00, and it is also provided with aclamping screw |01 having a handle |08 to clamp it in adjusted positionon rod |00.

The block |0| supports the fixed pivots for a pair of links l0 andcooperating with the block I0| and a strap ||2 to form a .parallelogramlinkage. The lower link |0 includes a boss vportion at one end securedby a pin ||3 to the outer end of a shaft ||5 journaled in the lower endof the 'block |0I, and the corresponding end of upper link ||I issimilarly pivoted by a shaft I6 to the upper portion of block |0|. Theopposite ends of links I l0 and I are pivoted to the strap |I2 by bolts||1 and IIS respectively, and the movable end of link I is sharpened toform a pointer for cooperation with a scale I2! carried by the bar |02and block |05, and this scale and pointer aid in adjusting the linkageto adapt the machine for operation with tablets of different thickness.Movement of the linkage in coordinated relation with the stack oftablets on the elevator is effected by a feeler arm having a roller I 25at one end adapted to rest on the top of the stack and secured at itsother end to the shaft I |5 by the pin |27 (Fig. 10) so that the .feelerarm |25 acts as a crank to move the entire linkage I|0| I2 up and down.

The strap H2 carries a microswitch |30 which acts as the initiatingswitch for the operating cycle of the machine as described hereinafter.The switch arm |3| is extended outwardly above the stack and is shown ascarrying a small ball |32 which is adapted to be contacted by the edgeof the top tablet to be sliced in initiating the operating cycle. Figs.'7 and 9 also show twin microswitches |34 and |35 which are connected inthe control circuits of the machine to provide for operation of theknives only when the stack on the elevator is at the proper level forthe slicing operation, these switches having switch arms |36 and |31respectively and being mounted on a base plate |38 on the bar |02.

The operating mechanism for the switches |34 and includes a bracket |40,which is generally J-shaped in outline, mounted on the strap ||2 formovement therewith, the mounting connection between these parts beingformed by an adjusting screw |4|, and the bracket |40 being slotted at|42 to receive the bolts and H8. The upper end of bracket carriesoperating bolts |44 and |45 for the switch arms I 36 and |31respectively, so that the switches |34 and |35 are thus operated inaccordance with the up and down movement of bracket |40 with theparallelogram linkage, and bolts |44 and |45 are individually adjustablein bracket |40 to provide for operating these switches in desiredsequential relation as the bracket moves. Since movement of the linkageis caused by movement of the stack through its contact with the feelerarm |25, it will be seen that operation of switches |44 and |45 will becaused directly by the movement of the stack. In order to preventpossible failure of these switches to operate as a result of the stackbeing out of proper position for engagement with arm |25, a normallyclosed auxiliary switch |46 is mounted adjacent the opposite end of themachine from the control mechanism 00 and serves as an upper limitswitch for engagement by the stack.

The lower end of bracket |40 supports one end of a flexible plate |50which forms the lower guide for the knife as it approaches and entersthe stack, the opposite end of this guide being supported by a bracket|5| mounted on the block |0| by means of slots |52 and screws |53. Inthe initial adjustment of the parts in accordance with the thickness ofthe tablets to be sliced, the adjusting screw |4| is so set that whenthe feeler roller |26 is resting on the top of the stack, the uppersurface of the guide |50 will be substantially directly in line with thebottom surface of the topmost group of sheets, that is in the case of atablet at the bottom of the cardboard layer 2| in the uppermost tabletand thus denes the proper operating plane for the knife. In order toguide the knife properly, the portion of the guide plate |50 at theentering end with respect to the knife is inclined downwardly, as shownto the right of the part |5| in Fig. 7, to engage and guide the knifeinto the proper plane before it reaches the work. The bracket |5I whichsupports the entering end of guide plate |50 normally rests by gravityin its lowest position provided by slots |52 or screws |53, but ifinadvertently the mechanism 90 is not adjusted properly for a longerstack of tablets so that the stack-is brought up under this mechanisminstead of merely under the roller |20 and the ball |32, the slots |52provide for sufficient upward travel of plate |50 to allow the limitswitches to operate before damage of the machine occurs.

The mechanism for ejecting successive tablets as they are cut from thetop of the stack is shown in detail in Figs. il-17, and it includes apair of secondary ejector wheels |00 and |0I, shown asy each comprisinga pair of coaxial wheels, and a primary ejector wheel |62 which operatesto project the cut tablet into the nip of the secondary ejector wheels.The lower secondary ejector lwheel |6| is secured to a shaft |55 mountedin bearing blocks |06 on the main supporting plate portion 0l of theframe, and shaft |05 carries a worm meshing with a worm gear keyed tocontinuously driven shaft 04. The upper secondary ejector wheel |00 issecured to a shaft |12 which is carried by arms |13 and |14 pinned tothe shaft 15. The shaft 15 may accordingly be rocked to change therelative spacing of the ejector wheels |63 and |5|, and this adjustingmovement is regulated by a rod |15 connected at one end to an upwardlyextending arm |16 pinned on shaft 15, the other end of rod |15 extendingthrough a bracket |11 on channel 21 and being threaded to receive anadjusting nut |18. The drive for shaft |12 is transmitted from pulley|83 on shaft |65 through a belt |8| to a double pulley |82 on shaft 15from which in turn a belt |83 runs to a pulley |85 von shaft |13. Asshown in Fig. 2, the belt |8| is turned over to cause the desiredrotation of wheels |68 and i6! in opposite directions.

The primary ejector wheel |52 is carried by an arm |98' pivoted on shaft'55, and wheel |52 is directly connected with a sprocket wheel |9|connected by a sprocket chain with a similar sprocket |92 carried by oneof the pair of jaw clutch members |93 and |94 on shaft 15. The otherclutch member |94 similarly carries a sprocket |95 connected by a chain|95 with a sprocket |91 on shaft |12, so that when the clutch members|53 and |94 are in engagement, there will be a drive from shaft |12 toejector wheel |52 through this clutch and the two pairs of sprockets andtheir associated chains.

The hub portion of arm |95 also carries an upwardly extending arm 200from which a rod extends above arm |90 and carries counterweights 232which thus act through arm 233 to urge arm |3|) and ejector wheel |52downwardly towards the stack on the elevator. Adjustment of thisassembly to locate ejector wheel |52 in properly contacting relationwith the stack is regulated by a rod 205 connected at one end to the arm29|! and having its other end passing through a block 205 pinned on therod |15, this end of rod 255 being threaded to receive an adjusting nut221. It will thus be seen that arm |90 and ejector wheel |52 will beadjusted simultaneously with the upper secondary ejector' wheel |55through the rod |15 and adjusting nut |13 as previously described.

in the normal position of the machine, the primary ejector wheel |52rests on the tablet at the top of the stack which is being sliced, butwheel |52 remains stationary as a result of disengagement of the clutch|93| 34. Engagement of this clutch is effected in timed relation withthe stroke of the knife by an arm 2||l pivoted on shaft i5 and extendingdownwardly at an angle into the path of the knife block 55. The pivotedend of arm 2HE includes a collar 2|| adjacent ciutch member |94 which isformed with a cam slot 2|2 (Fig. 16) cooperating with a pin 2|3 carriedby an extension 2 I5 on the block 11, the cam slot 2|2 being vsoinclined that when arm Zit is lifted, the cooperative action of the camslot with the pin 2|3 will cause the arm to move axially and thus shiftclutch member |94 into engagement with clutch member |93 and transmitthe desired drive to the primary ejector wheel |52. Since this actiontakes place just as the knife block completes the cutting stroke of theknife, ejector wheel |62 will immediately begin to rotate, and since itis held in frictional engagement with the sliced tablet by the operationof the counterweights 202, it will slide this tablet forward into thenip of the continuously rotating secondary ejector wheels for removalthereby from the machine in preparation for slicing the next tablet inthe stack, as shown diagrammatically in Fig. 17-

The sequence of operation of the machine is illustrated schematically bythe wiring diagram of Fig. 18, in which the main power lines areidentied as 22|, 222 and 223 respectively and are controlled by a safetydisconnect switch 225 mounted on the switch panel 30 as shown in Fig. 1.The line 222 supplies single phase power through a manual switch 225 foroperation of the drive motor 55 for the traveling knives and ejectorwheels, the other side of the motor being grounded. The timer 230 shownin Fig. 18 is of a type operable to provide a temporary maintainedclosed interval for the contacts of the switch 23| therewithin,satisfactory results having been obtained employing a General ElectricElectronic Timer, type CR 7504 connected for EDE operation. The timer239 is connected as shown between lines 222 and 223 and is provided witha manual control switch 232. The switch 235 is a manually operatedreversing switch for controlling the phase relationship of lines 23| and233 to the magnetic starting switch 235 for the three phase elevatormotor d5 in order to determine whether the elevator moves up or downupon starting of motor 45 when switch 23S is closed by actuation of itsoperating coil 231.

Fig. 18 shows the positions of the several switches ready for the startof the work cycle, with reversing switch 235 in its up position and withthe elevator assumed to be in the correct position to locate theuppermost tablet in the stack at the proper level for slicing. The workcycle is initiated by the manual act of the operator in lifting thefront right hand corner of the tablet as shown in Fig. 4 until the endedge of the tablet engages the ball |32 and moves the switch arm |3| tothe closed position of switch |33. Closing switch |36 completes theactuating circuit for the timer 23|) which closes its switch 23|. Thiscompletes the actuating circuit for the operating coil 239 of magneticstarter switch 240, this circuit running from line 22| through theswitch coil 239, the closed side of knife inching switch 242, the timerswitch 23|, the twin microswitches |34 and |35, and then through theupper contacts of switch 235 to line 223. Starter switch 240 includesswitch contacts 253 completing the actuating circuit for the magneticcoil of clutch solenoid 80, thus causing the sprocket 62 to begin torotate with resulting travel of one of the knives 55 through the edge ofthe stack as shown in Fig. 5.

The starter switch 24|] also includes contacts 244 which complete aholding circuit for coil 239 through the normally closed knife stopswitch 245, which is mounted at the back of the machine in the path ofthe knife blocks 5i) as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. rhus while the switch23| remains closed only for the timed interval provided by timer 230,which interval is required to permit the knife block 6|! to move beyondswitch 245 and permit it to reclose, switch 253 remains actuated untilthe knife has completed its cutting stroke, at which time the supportingblock Gil for the other knife engages and opens stop switch 245, whichstops the machine. The timer however will not reclose its contacts 23|until after the circuit through switch |39 has been broken and reclosedand hence even if switch |33 remains in closed position, it is notpossible for a second stroke of the knife to occur until the entirecycle is finished and a new tablet has been brought into properposition. As previously noted,

9 just before completion of its full stroke of the knife, and after ithas passed through the stack, the supporting block 60 for the knife atthe front of the machine engages and raises the lever 2|0 to operateclutch |93-I94 and cause primary ejector wheel |52 to rotate and thus toadvance the severed tablet into the nip of the secondary ejector wheelsfor ejection from the machine.

Approximately simultaneously with the opening of switch 240, ejection ofthe severed tablet will cause the arm |25 to drop to the level of thenext tablet in the stack, and the resulting downward movement of thebracket |40 will close microswitch |35. This completes an actuatingcircuit for the operating coil 231 of elevator starter switch 236, thiscircuit running from line 223 through microswitch |35, auxiliary switch|46, upper limit switch 45 and coil 231 to line 222. The elevator motortherefore starts and raises the stack until arm |25 has been raisedsuinciently to open microswitch |35, whereupon the actuating circuit forcoil 231 is broken and switch 23B opens.

The adjustment of the operating bolts |44 and |45 is important inassuring correct positioning of the stack for each cutting stroke, sinceit is necessary for proper operation of the knife that switch |35 beopen while switch |34 remains closed in order to complete the circuitthrough their two switch arms |36 and |31. Thus if the stack should riseso high as to raise arm |25 sufciently to permit switch |34 to open, itwould be impossible to complete the actuating circuit for coil 239 ofstarter switch 240. This arrangement of the switches therefore providesfor fine control, by relative adjustment of the bolts |44 and |45, sothat the elevator is stopped as soon as bolt |45 has reached a sucientheight to permit switch |35 to open and while bolt |44 is still belowthe level at which it permits opening of switch |34.

After the elevator has been operated as described to raise the stack tothe proper level for the next slicing operation, the above cycle isagain initiated by the operator as before by manually raising one cornerof the tablet to be sliced. In this connection the interlock of theseveral switches for maximum safety should be particularly noted. Asnoted, the knife will not operate at all if the stack is at any heightother than the proper height as determined by the conjoint operation ofswitches |34 and |35. Also, even if the switch |30 should be heldclosed, the machine will not repeat its cycle, since with'the timer 230of the indicated type, it will not repeat until switch |30 is opened andreclosed, and thus starter switch 240 will remain open after its coil239 is deenergized by the opening of switch 245.

The machine will continue to operate as described above, with theelevator being actuated intermittently after each tablet is sliced andejected, until the entire stack has been sliced. The operator thenmanually reverses switch 235 to its Down position, thus completing theactuating circuit for the coil 231 of elevator switch 236 through thelower limit switch 41, and the elevator accordingly moves downwardlyuntil it engages and opens switch 41. Then after a new stack has beenloaded on the elevator, return of reversing switch 235 to its Upposition, will cause the operating cycle of the machine to begin againas already described. Since ordinarily the stack will be below theproper working level when first loaded on the elevator, the feeler arm|25 will be in position to close switch |35, and

10 thus the first operation will be actuation of the elevator motor toraise the stack to the proper level. Thereafter the successive slicingoperations will be started as described by the manual act of theoperator in raising the corner of the tablet.

It will accordingly be seen that the present invention provides anautomatic machine for slicing successive tablets or other groups from astack adhered together along one side, and that this operation will bereliable and also will assure maximum safety for the operator. Themachine is readily adjustable for tablets of different widths, bymovement of the mechanism $9 on rod |00, and also for groups of sheetsof different thickness, through relative adjustment of the feeler arm|25 and bracket |40 by means of the adjusting screw |4|. In addition,the arrangement and interlocking relation of the several switches asdescribed assures that the knife will not operate except when theuppermost tablet in the stack is at the proper working level, and alsosince the knife is initially started by the manual act of the operatorin raising the corner of the tablet against the starting switch,adequate assurance is given against accidental movement of the knifewhen the operator is not in a position of safety.

While the form of apparatus herein described constitutes a preferredembodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the inventionis not limited to this precise form of apparatus, and that changes maybe made therein without departing from the scope of the invention whichis defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A machine for slicing groups of sheets from the top of a stackthereof adhered to each other along one edge comprising a movablesupport for receiving said stack, control means for maintaining the topof said stack at a predetermined level as each said group is removedfrom the top thereof, means movable lengthwise of said adhering edge ina continuous path for slicing through said adhering edge between the topgroup in said stack and the remainder thereof to separate said top groupin the stack from the remainder thereof, and means responsive tocompletion of the slicing movement of said slicing means for thereafterdelivering the separated group from the top of the stack.

2. Apparatus for slicing successive groups of sheets from a stackthereof secured together by a binding along one side face of said stack,comprising a frame, a knife supported on said frame for travellengthwise of said binding in a continuous path in a predeterminedplane, an elevator on said frame for supporting said stack, anintermittently operable drive for said elevator to raise the uppermostsaid group in said stack into said plane for slicing from said stack bysaid knife, means responsive to completion of the slicing movement ofsaid knife for removing said uppermost group from said stack followingslicing thereof, and means responsive to removal of said sliced groupfor actuating said drive.

3. Apparatus for slicing successive groups of sheets from a stackthereof secured together by a binding along one side face of said stack,comprising a frame, a knife supported on said frame for travel in apredetermined plane, an elevator on said frame for supporting saidstack, an intermittently actuated drive for said elevator to raise theuppermost group in said stack into said plane for slicing from saidstack by said knife, a

pair of continuously driven ejector rolls located in laterally spacedrelation with said stack for ejecting sliced groups from said machine,an auxiliary and normally non-rotating roll adapted to engage saiduppermost group in said stack, and means responsive to completion of theslicing of said uppermost group for causing rotation of said auxiliaryroll to project the resulting sliced group into the nip of saidcontinuously rotating rolls for ejection thereby from said machine.

4. Apparatus for slicing successive tablets from a stack thereof securedtogether by a binding along one side face of said stack, comprising aframe, a knife supported on said frame for travel lengthwise of saidbinding in a continuous path in a predetermined plane defining a workingstation, an elevator on said frame for supporting said stack, anintermittently actuated drive for said elevator to raise the uppermosttablet in said stack into said plane for slicing from said stack by saidknife, means actuated by said knife upon completion of the slicingmovement thereof for removing each successive sliced tablet from saidmachine, and means responsive to removal of said slicing tablet foractuating said elevator drive to raise said stack into proper relationwith said working station for slicing the next tablet therefrom.

5. A machine for separating groups of sheets which are adhered to eachother along an edge thereof, comprising a lift table adapted to receivegroups of said sheets in a stack, means for sensing the level of the topof said stack, means for actuating said lift table to maintain the topof said stack at a predetermined level following removal of each groupof sheets therefrom, a slicing knife, a control adjacent the top of saidstack and above said lever in position to be actuated in response to theraising of the outer portion of the topmost group of sheets, a driveresponsive to actuation of said control to cause said knife to perform aslicing stroke along said edge of the stack to separate the topmostgroup of sheets therefrom, and means responsive to completion of saidslicing stroke for removing the separated top group of sheets from thestack.

6. A machine for separating groups of sheets which are adhered to eachother along an edge thereof, comprising a lift table adapted to receivegroups of said sheets in a stack, means for sensing the level of the topof said stack, means for actuating said lift table to maintain the topof said stack at a predetermined level following removal of each groupof sheets therefrom, a slicing knife, a manual control adjacent the topof said stack and above said lever in position to be engaged andactuated by the raised outer corner of the topmost group of sheets, adrive responsive to actuation of said control to cause said knife toperform a slicing stroke along said edge of the stack to separate thetopmost group of sheets therefrom, and means responsive to completion ofsaid slicing stroke for removing the separated top group of sheets fromthe stack.

'7. A machine for separating groups of sheets which are adhered to eachother along an edge thereof, comprising a lift table adapted to receivegroups of said sheets in a stack, means for sensing the level of the topof said stack, means for actuating said lift table to maintain the topof said stack at a predetermined level following removal of each groupof sheets therefrom, a plurality of traveling slicing knives, an endlessconveyor arranged to carry said knives in a continuous horizontal pathbelow said level, means oper- 1-2 able when the top of saidstack is atsaid'prede'- termined level for causing said knife to perform a workingstroke along said edge of the stack by intermittent movement of saidconveyor to carry one of said knives through said'adhering edge, andmeans to terminate said knife movement when one said knife has completedits said Working stroke leaving said conveyor stationary duringremovalof the separated .group of sheets and subsequent adjustment of the levelof said stack.

8. A machine for separating groups of sheets which are adhered along anedge thereof and arranged in a stack which comprises a lift tableadapted to receive said groups of sheets in a stack, means forsensing-the level of the top of said stack, means for actuating saidlift table under control of said sensing means to maintain the top ofsaid stack at a predetermined level as each group of sheets is removed,an intermittently moving slicing knife, means for actuating said slicingknife for a stroke of movement to slice along said edge of the stack toseparate the topmost group of sheets therefrom in a working stroke ofmovement, means for engaging the topmost group of sheets on the stack toeffect removal thereof from the stack, and means for operating saidremoving means responsive to completion of said stroke of movement ofsaid knife intermittently in correlated relation With the Working strokeof movement of said knife.

9. Apparatus for slicing successive groups of sheets from a stackthereof secured together by a binding along one side face of said stack,comprising a frame, a knife supported on said frame for travel in acontinuous path in a predetermined plane, an elevator on said frame forsupporting said stack, an intermittently actuated drive for saidelevator to raise the uppermost group in said stack into said plane forslicing from said stack by said knife, means responsive to completion ofthe slicing stroke of said knife for stopping further movement of saidknife, means actuated by the operator for restarting said knife for thenext cutting cycle thereof, and means interlocked with said restartingmeans for preventing restarting of said knife if said stack is not inproper working relation with said working station.

10. A machine for separating groups of sheets which are adhered along anedge thereof and arranged in a stack which comprises a lift tableadapted to receive said groups of sheets in a stack, means for sensingthe level of the top of said stack, means for actuating said lift tableunder control of said sensing means to maintain the top of said stack ata predetermined level as each group of sheets is removed, anintermittently moving slicing knife, means for actuating said slicingknife for a stroke of movement to slice along said edge of the stack toseparate the topmost group of sheets therefrom in a working stroke ofmovement, intermittently operable delivery means for engaging thetopmost group of sheets on the stack to effect removal thereof from thestack, means for initiating the operation of said delivery means at thecompletion of the working stroke of movement of said knife, andadditional continuously operating delivery means for receiving saidseparated group from said removing means and completing the deliverythereof from said stack.

11. In a machine for separating groups of sheets arranged in a stack andadhered along an edge which comprises means for supporting said stack inpredetermined position, a traveling slicing knife movable along saidedge of the stack in a working stroke of movement, conveyor means forcausing said knife to pass along said stack adjacent said adhered edgethereof, said slicing knife having a blade formed with a guide portionand a cutting portion, and a guide member engageable by said guideportion of the knife for directing said knife into the stack at theproper level to separate the desired group of sheets.

12. In a machine for separating groups of sheets arranged in a stack andadhered along the edge which comprises means for supporting said stackin predetermined position, a traveling slicing knife, conveyor means forcausing said knife to pass along said stack adjacent said adhered edgethereof, means forming a floating support for mounting said knife onsaid conveyor, fixed guide means for engaging a portion of said knife tocontrol the proper position of said knife as it enters the stack, thebody of said stack below the group of sheets separated by the knifeserving as a continuation of the guide for maintaining the properoperating level of the knife.

13. A machine for separating groups of sheets in a stack which areadhered along an edge comprising a lift table adapted to receive saidstack, means for sensing the level of the top of said stack including anupper limit and a lower limit, means controlled by said sensing meansfor actuating said lift table to maintain the top of said stack betweensaid limits, a slicing knife, a control for causing the knife to performa Working stroke of operation through said adhering edge of the stack,and means for preventing said working stroke except when the top of saidstack is at a predetermined level between said limits.

14. A machine for separating groups of sheets in a stack which areadhered along an edge comprising a lift table adapted to receive saidstack, means for sensing the level of the top of said stack including anupper limit and a lower limit,

vmeans controlled by said sensing means for actuating said lift table tomaintain the top of said stack between said limits, a, slicing knife, acontrol for causing the knife to perform a working stroke of operationthrough said edge of the stack, means for preventing said working strokeexcept when the top of said stack is at a predetermined level betweensaid limits, and means for adjusting said sensing means laterally of thestack in accordance with the length thereof.

15. A machine for separating groups of sheets which are adhered along anedge thereof and arranged in a stack which comprises a lift tableadapted to receive said groups of sheets in a stack, means for sensingthe level of the top of said stack, means for actuating said lift tableunder control of said sensing means to maintain the top of said stack ata predetermined level as each group of sheets is removed, anintermittently moving slicing knife, means for actuating said slicingknife for a stroke of movement to slice along said edge of the stack toseparate the topmost group of sheets therefrom in a working stroke ofmovement, means for engaging the topmost group of sheets on the stack toeffect removal thereof from the stack, means responsive to completion ofsaid stroke of movement of said knife for operating said removing meansintermittently in correlated relation with the working stroke ofmovement of said knife, and means for adjusting the relation betweensaid removing means and the topmost group of sheets in accordance withvariations in the thickness of said groups of sheets.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 1,174,739 Langston Mar. 7, 1916 1,246,592 Harvey Nov. 13, 19171,555,391 Surfus Sept. 29, 1925 2,298,451 Palthasar Oct. 13, 19422,469,052 Rahe May 3, 1949 2,565,207 Demler Aug. 21, 1951 2,584,346Harvely Feb. 5, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 279,252 GermanyMay 18, 1912

